Neighborhood House Announces a $15/hr Minimum Wage
"Today I am proud to announce that we are again leading out in our industry - by announcing our move to a $15 minimum wage for all full time employees. This is quite a feat in the nonprofit world, as it is in the caregiving industry: both traditionally underpaid professionals." - Executive Director Jennifer Nuttall
On Friday, April 30th, Neighborhood House announced that all entry level positions are being raised to $15 an hour. Additionally, anyone already making between $15 and $20 an hour will receive a $1 per hour raise. This change, which will affect approximately 75% of Neighborhood House staff, brings the organization closer to its mission, increasing the quality of life for hard working families in the community starting at the core of the organization: the employees.
Neighborhood House Executive Director Jennifer Nuttall knows that the quality of the services depends on front line employees who work directly for and with clients. Nuttall believes that “investing in our early childhood educators, adult day care staff, and afterschool professionals will make our society more equitable”.
Over the past two years wages at Neighborhood House have risen from under $10 per hour, to a minimum of $15 per hour now. Just in the past 20 months Neighborhood House has increased starting wages by 50%. "We are committed to the mission of Neighborhood House, and to being a responsible employer. We employ over 60 people, many of whom live in the area around Neighborhood House. We are thrilled to offer a wage increase to our hard-working, dedicated staff, and we will continue to advocate for fair and competitive wages." Said Neighborhood House Board Member Sara Wilcox.
The Ivory Foundation was of instrumental support for this change to happen. “We appreciate the impactful work done by each and every teacher and service provider at Neighborhood House. There is no greater work done than in helping children to learn and progress to be valuable contributors in our community.” - Christine Ivory, Founder of Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation.
On Friday April 30th at 10:30 AM Neighborhood House hosted a press conference with speakers Senator Luz Escamilla, founder of Ivory Foundation Christine Ivory, CEO of Utah Nonprofits Association Kate Rubalcava, Executive Director of Utah Association for Education of Young Children Katie Ricord, Neighborhood House Board Member Sara Wilcox, Executive Director of Neighborhood House Jennifer Nuttall, Neighborhood House Adult Center Director Sarah Scott, and Neighborhood House Managers Lisa Hackwell and Megan Shaw.
